Driving the unpaved road to Jollies Pass in Hanmer Springs
New Zealand, oceania
11.2 km
845 m
extreme
Year-round
Okay, picture this: You're in New Zealand's South Island, near the resort town of Hanmer Springs. Want an adventure? Head north on Jollies Pass Road. It's about 11km of unsealed, backcountry road that takes you up to 845m (2,772ft) above sea level.
This pass has some serious history, folks! Back in 1852, some pioneering folks drove 1,800 sheep across it!
But be warned, this isn't a Sunday drive. After leaving Hanmer Springs, the pavement ends and things get interesting. You'll need a high-clearance 4WD to handle the bumpy sections and the insane 26% gradients on some of the ramps! Traffic is super light, so it's just you and the road.
Keep an eye on the sky, too. The weather here can flip on a dime. Snow closes the road in winter, and summer can be scorching.
But, oh, the views! You're in Hanmer Forest Park, so expect stunning vistas and plenty of places to pull over and soak it all in. Seriously, this drive is a feast for the eyes.
Where is it?
Driving the unpaved road to Jollies Pass in Hanmer Springs is located in New Zealand (oceania). Coordinates: -41.0553, 175.2451
Road Details
- Country
- New Zealand
- Continent
- oceania
- Length
- 11.2 km
- Max Elevation
- 845 m
- Difficulty
- extreme
- Coordinates
- -41.0553, 175.2451
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